Challenges of comparative penal policy research in penal systems of the Global South

Bertha Prado-Manrique

Chapter 19 in Research Handbook on Penal Policy, 2026, pp 364-385 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Comparative research in penal policy aims to identify similarities and differences across penal systems using various comparison criteria. The RIMES instrument is designed to assess the degree of social exclusion generated by specific rules and punitive practices affecting four key groups within the penal system: suspects, defendants, offenders, and ex-offenders. Originally developed for use in the penal systems of the Global North, there is ongoing exploration into its applicability within criminal justice systems in the Global South, particularly in South America. Chapter 19 seeks to examine the challenges encountered during the initial application of RIMES to measure social exclusion in three South American countries: Chile, Peru, and Colombia. Initial findings underscore the importance of contextual factors and national traditions in the adaptation of this tool, alongside a critical evaluation of the outcomes obtained.

Keywords: Comparative penal policy; Global South; South America; Social exclusion; Comparative research; Methodological challenges (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035308521
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